Trolley splicer



W. SCHAAKE TROLLEY SPLICER Filed Jan. '7, 1922 WITNESSES: INVENTOR M/flb/r/ Sahw/re;

ATITORNEY Patented en. 2, 1924.

unis: arias WILLIAM SCl-IAAKE, 0F PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, Afi'SIGNOR TO WESTING-HUUfiE ELECTRIC t MANUFACTURING GOMLPA'NY, A CORJPDBATION 0F PENNFSYLVANIA.

TRULLEY SPLICER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM SGHAAKE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Trolley Splicers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to overhead trolley systems and it has particular relation to spliccrs for securing the ends of two trolley conductors together.

@ne object of my invention is to provide an improved trolley splicer that shall be simple and economical of construction and positive and reliable in operation.

Another object of my invention is to provide a trolley splicer of increased strength without increasing its weight or lessening the desired electrical features of the device with respect to corresponding devices of the prior art.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a trolley splicer that shall present a smooth surface to a current-collector or contact device that travels thereunder.

Briefly speaking, my invention consists in vation, of a trolley splicer constructed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the splicer that is illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings; and

Figs. 3 and 1 are cross-sectional views taken along the lines III-III and IV-IV, respectively, of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing, a plurality of end-clamping members 1 and 2 are secured together by means of a plurality of tension members or side bars 3, which are pivotally fastened thereto by means of suitable bolts 4. One bolt 4 is mounted in a proiec'tion 5 in the upper portion of each of the clamping members 1 and 2. Each of the end-clamping members 1 and 2 is provided with a Application filed January 7, 1922. Serial No. 527,560.

longitudinal cavity or passage 6 in which an end of one of the conductors 7 is positioned by means of a chuck or split sleeve 8, in a manner welldcnown to the art. Each of the clamping members 1 and 2 is providedwith' an inner-end projection 9 to which a trough shaped runner 11 is attached by bolts 12. Each of the clamping members 1 and 2 is provided with a plurality of laterallyextending lugs 13 for limiting the angular movement of the side bars 3 about the bolts l.

The side bars 3 are preferably made of some rolled material, such, for example, as malleable iron, that possesses relatively great strength and toughness. It will be evident that the runner 11, when worn, may be readily replaced without disturbing the trolley conductors or'other portions of the splicer.

When a contact device, such, for example, as a trolley wheel, runs under my splicer, the device rolls against the smooth underrunning surface of the clamping member 1 or the member 2 across the trough-shaped runner 11 to the other end-clamping member.

From the above description, it is apparent thatl have provided a splicer possessing relatively great strength throughout its central portion and have also provided a detachable runner which may readily be replaced when it becomes impaired.

While I have illustrated and described apparatus embodying my invention in its preferred form, it is apparent that minor modifications may be made in the arrangement of parts of the apparatus without departing from the spirit of my invention. I desire, therefore, to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention 2- 1. In a trolley-conductor device, the combination with a plurality of'end-clamping members, of a plurality of tension members for securing said clamping members toget-her and a runner for electrically connecting said clamping members together.

2. In a trolley-conductor device. the combination with a plurality of end-clamping members. of means comprising a plurality of side bars for securing said clamping members together and a trough-shaped runner also connecting said end clamping members. 4 4

3. In a trolley-conductor device, the combination with a plurality oi end-clamping members, oi a plurality of side bars for securing said clamping members together, means for pivotally fastening said bars to said members and means for providing a smooth underrunning surface between said members.

l. In a trolley-conductor device, the combination with a plurality of end-clamping members, each of said members having a plurality of lugs, of a plurality of side bars for securing said clamping members together, means for pivotally fastening said bars to said members, the angular movement of said bars being limited by said lugs,

and means for providing a smooth underrunning surface between said clamping members.

5. In a trolley-conductor device, the combination with a plurality of end-clamping members, of means comprising a plurality of side barsifor securing said clamping members together, a trough-shaped runner for providing a smooth underrunning surface between said members, and means for securing said runner to said members independently of said bars.

6. In a trolley-conductor device, the combination With a plurality of end-clamping members, one of said members being provided with a lug, of abar for connecting said members, the movement of said bar being limited by said lug.

T. In a trolley-conductor device, the combination with a plurality of end-clampin members, each oi said members being provided with a lug, of a bar for connecting said member and means for pivotally mounting said bar upon said members, said lugs limiting the angular movement oil" said bar.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 23rd day of Dc- (ember, 1921.

\VILLIAM 27 3 CH A 1* K lie 

